What a life-story writer knows about making a writing plan
My children received a new kite for Christmas.
They love to watch its colourful tail dance in the wind when we go to the beach.
But when it’s time to go home the kite tail and string is usually one giant tangled, sandy mess!
This looks like a mission impossible but with patience everything is fixed and again flying high.
Taking the first step to plan an autobiography, memoir, biography or life-story project of your own or for a loved one can similarly feel like a task for the too-hard basket!
However, knowing how to start writing isn’t difficult with a bit of planning.
To celebrate the beginning of a new year (and decade!) I’ve compiled an ultimate guide of pre-writing tips.
This guide is part one in the ‘ultimate series’, which includes the ultimate guide of life-story tips for new writers, the ultimate guide to polishing your writing and the ultimate guide to publishing a life story.
So jump in and get set to make 2020 the year you finish a life story and let it soar!
How to start writing: Get a clear overview
Know what you want to write
Decide what type of life-story you want to write. An autobiography captures a full life story: details, events, feelings, lessons, struggles and highlights about all periods of life, plus perhaps background about parents and grandparents. A memoir, however, targets one facet or time of a complete life. Meanwhile, a biography is a life account written by another person.
Related article – Autobiography definition: Plus biography meaning and what a memoir means
Why are you writing?
Having a clear reason ‘why’ helps energise you to write. Compiling your life story or that of your loved ones is essential for so many reasons including: conveying basic information, it’s satisfying for your soul, and it leaves a lasting legacy.
Related article – Why write: Why is writing important and why do we write
How to start writing: Make a plan
Set dreams and goals
Make your dream to write a book achievable. Break it down into long-term, short-term, and daily goals that are SMART. Also set deadlines and get support to stay on track.
Related article – New year’s resolutions: Set top writing dreams and goals
Schedule your writing time
Plan frequent writing appointments with yourself. This will be better when you have clear writing goals and review your progress.
Related article – Writing time: How to schedule time for writing
How to start writing: Practical considerations
Be accountable
Don’t go it alone with your writing. Talk about your work with others and find a writing buddy.
Related article – Writing accountability: Personal accountability + accountability partners
Write together
Consider writing together with your husband, wife or significant other. This could include: incorporating their take on past events, a guest writing cameo, writing an entire chapter or combining your life stories into one book.
Related article – Write together: Writing with a loved one as a coauthor or writing partner
Get help
Decide if you need help at the start of your writing journey. When choosing and working with a writing coach make sure you ask: what is their past writing experience, what does a coaching call look like, and how will it help?
Related article – Working with a writing coach: 3 questions to ask when choosing a life-writing teacher
Related article – Life story writing coach: 3 little-known ways they can help your story writing
Know where to create
Think about where you will create. The best locations are: distraction free and inspiring, have a great atmosphere and all the tools for the job.
Related article – Writing flow: Finding the best places to write your autobiography
Staying organised
Being organised can pay dividends in how smoothly and quickly memories, stories, recordings and more come together. So to stay organised: start a memory notebook, save your work in one place, and divide stories by working headings, chapters or sections.
Related article – Staying organised: How to stay organised when creating a life story
Creating while raising children
Navigate looking after children and make life story progress. For example: revise short-term expectations, take advantage of nap plus sleep times (no matter how brief), and ask for help.
Related article – Family life: How to fast track life stories while raising family
How to start writing: Bring on the memories
Understand your mind
Before we start dredging up memories it is key to understand how memory works. There are many types of memories (short and long-term) that are recorded in different parts of the brain and recalled by reactivating connections between brain cells.
Related article – How does memory work? Your questions answered about what is memory and types of memory
Get memories flowing
Start brainstorming childhood memories to possibly include in your life story. To boost your recall: revisit the places of your youth, go through your memorabilia, talk to others and seek creative options.
Related article – Memory recall: How to fast track remembering childhood memories + long-term memory retrieval
Get more memories flowing
Start brainstorming childhood memories to possibly include in your book. To boost your recall: revisit the places of your youth, go through your memorabilia, and talk to others.
Related article – Memory recall: Memory retrieval and remembering childhood memories
Get even more memories flowing
Try other creative ways to brainstorm even more memories. For example, using music to: pick one song per year of your life, look back at your personal music collection, and remember traditional and cultural songs.
Related article – Music and memories: 3 song memory tricks to use while dancing up a storm!
Make an outline
Put together a basic book outline using your key memories. A chapter structure is essential for: motivation, having topics to write about, and recording our most valuable memories first (an insurance policy).
Related article – Story outline: What is an outline and having life-story topics to write about
Make a timeline
It may also be helpful to make a timeline including key memories and events. Personal timelines can be compiled off and online. They are super handy to refer to as a writer and a reader.
Related article – How to make a timeline: What is a timeline + timeline example (plus free printable!)
Talk to others
Schedule an interview time if you want to help a loved one record their life story. First float the idea, be ready for some initial resistance, and then tee up an interview time and place.
Related article – Life-story interview: How to set-up an interview + family interview tips
Plan an interview
Before an interview make sure you and your loved one are all set. Prepare basic interview questions and have your loved one finish some memory recall exercises.
Related article – Writing challenge – part 1: Join in some stay-at-home Easter fun!
Hold an interview
Interviewing is rewarding so don’t psych yourself out. Remember to: get everyone settled, pick an interview spot, pay attention to details, have a plan, plus check your notes and tools.
Related article – Writing challenge – part 2: 6 things to remember before you hold a family stories interview
How to start writing: Keep a positive mindframe
Get over your writing fears
You don’t need an English degree to have ‘permission’ to write. Nor super spelling and grammar. Instead set your ‘bad writing’ fears aside by looking at what is more important.
Related article – Good writing: Writing tips on how to become a better writer (plus writing prompts free training)
Banish overwhelm
Don’t be overwhelmed by the idea of writing a book. Stop such thoughts by: remembering why and who you are writing for, have a writing plan and take care of yourself.
Related article – Surefire tips to end feeling overwhelmed about writing your life story
Take advice from others
Get excited to write by seeking motivation and inspiration from fellow writers. Read other people’s life stories, discover how they wrote and follow their writing tips.
Related article – Writing quotes: Inspirational quotes + motivational quotes to conquer a midyear hump
Related article – Inspirational quotes: 10 positive quotes you should try to boost your writing!
Related article – Motivational quotes: Blitz writing blues with inspirational quotes
Related article – Positive quotes: Motivational thoughts to lift your life-story creating
Act the part
Great writers are ordinary people like us who push through negative thoughts. This takes skill and habits like: curiosity, open-mindedness, discipline, grace and bravery.
Related article – Ask Nicola Q&A: What are positive traits and qualities of a good writer?
Final say
Planning how to start writing a life story is a crucial first step.
Before you get writing it is essential to: know specifically what you want to achieve, have goals and resources to support you, brainstorm and organised key memories to write about, and keep a positive mindset.
Get organised today so your writing takes off in 2020.
With a bit of planning you can pen a rewarding account that brings enormous family payoffs and soars high for years to come.
Happy writing!
Free gift!
Are you planning to write your own life story or help a loved one write theirs? Brainstorm and organise key memories with the free structure success video training. Sign up here or fill in the form below.
Your say
What type of book are you planning to write: an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project? I’d love to hear about it! Send me an email or leave a reply in the comments section at the end of this article.
Get in touch
Have you hit a roadblock planning, writing or finishing your autobiography? Let me know here so I can help!
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This article first appeared on the website Forever Young Autobiographies.com.
